Flammable Material Control - News
Research by Luxfer Gas Cylinders into how back, joint and limb pain affect firefighter health is released, ahead of Interschutz 2022. Fire services could be losing an average of 25 staff days per year, for each team member affected by poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health – thought to be around one in four firefighters. Luxfer, the industry-renowned manufacturer of lightweight, durable, high-performance SCBA cylinders, investigated the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal health issues, i...
The government has published its response to the consultation on the use of cladding in buildings over 11m in England. Combustible materials Combustible materials have been banned for use in external facades of buildings higher than 18m since 2018, following extensive lobbying in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. In early 2020, the government suggested also banning the use of such materials for buildings above 11m in height, and ran a consultation on this in May 2020, the response to...
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is in serious need of funding to tackle the building safety crisis, according to Commissioner Andy Roe. A total of 1,100 of London’s buildings above 11 meters are currently listed by the LFB as having serious fire safety issues. While this represents a slight drop from 1,174 in March, the capital has had more than 1,000 unsafe buildings for almost a year, and the real number of unsafe buildings could be much higher. City Hall Plenary meeting At a City Hall...
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announces receipt of a $3 million California Climate Investments Wildfire Prevention grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The grant is for the creation of a shaded fuel break across southern Lafayette and Walnut Creek, that will, when completed in 2024, afford significant protection from wildfires for residents in the communities of Rossmoor and southern Lafayette. Affording significant protecti...
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. 146-page manual This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while a...
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is proud to announce the Queen has recognized Paul Grimwood, a KFRS Senior Principal Fire Engineer, in the 2022 Birthday Honors List. Paul, who has a career spanning over 50 years in firefighting and fire engineering, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire). High-Rise buildings He is highly regarded within the fire industry as an expert and pioneer for new operational tactics, as well as for his meticulous work when it comes to ensuring resi...
Over 2,300 first responders have taken an online instructor-led live course from the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the number is growing. The NFA suspended its on-campus and field courses in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2020, the NFA and USFA’s partners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched the first online instructor-led live 2-day course, “Fire Investigation: First Responders,” using the Zoom video conferencing app. Ad...
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while also emphasizing the impo...
When extinguishing systems protect against risks involving e.g. plastics or flammable liquids, the use of foam agents is almost indispensable. Using those, many materials can be extinguished more efficiently or even at all. However, these foams often contain per/poly-fluorinated chemicals persistent and toxic, so manufacturers and users are actively looking for environmentally friendly solutions; also because of the increasingly tightened legal limits. fluorine-free biodegradable extinguishing...
CHEMTREC and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up for the fourth year to provide volunteer fire departments with the CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve responder safety. CHEMTREC HELP Award The 2022 application period is now open until September 1, 2022. Two U.S. volunteer fire departments will each receive US$ 10,000, through the CHEMTREC HELP Award in 2022. Fire departments m...
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) members can enter to win a personalized Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet, courtesy of MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA Safety). Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet The jet-style design of the Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module, and the soft goods are removable, washable, and replaceable. This is the second of three opportunities to win an XF1 helmet in 2022. One recipient will be randomly selected, a...
Fire safety and protection are more prevalent now than ever before. There is a huge push on competency and compliance for the installation and products in the fire industry in 2022, following tragic recent events such as Grenfell. Just like a plumber would need to showcase that they are competent to service a boiler, the demand for fire protection installers to show they are competent is essential. What is Passive fire protection (PFP)? Passive fire protection (PFP) is a crucial component of...
A safety warning on the use of lithium-ion batteries is being issued by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) following several battery related fires this month. A safety warning on the use of lithium-ion batteries is being issued by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) following several battery related fires this month. Lithium-ion batteries, or li-ion batteries (sometimes called LIBs) are commonly found in many items including mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes, hover boards, vaping devices and sco...
Avon Protection will showcase its full range of integrated personal protection solutions at Eurosatory 2022, including full-face respirators, ballistic helmets, escape hoods, SCBA systems, modular PAPR units, underwater equipment, and CBRN protective equipment. There, the Group will demonstrate its position as a world-renowned company in CBRN protection, with its respiratory technology solutions that are designed to meet the modern threat environment and enhance the capability of the tactical m...
A fire that engulfed six buses at a Hertfordshire town center transport depot has been linked to an electric bus catching fire while charging. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) arrived in the afternoon on Sunday, 22 May, 2022, where a local resident described the scene, saying: "I just heard an unbelievable noise that sounded like a jet and when I looked out my window, one of the buses exploded in a ball of flames." Causing further damage The smoke from the blaze was so heavy that...
Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (CVVFA) President, Chief Joe Kroboth has released a message stating - Fellow members, for several years the association and individual members benefited from a relationship with the PA Fireman Magazine. The magazine has covered CVVFA’s events, published their articles, and informed readers about the association’s activities. With the steady long-term growth of the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, there is a need to provide...
The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) People Programme has launched four new tools, in order to support fire and rescue services in the selection, recruitment, nurturing and growth of diverse talent. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Hub, Recruitment Hub, Talent Management Toolkit and Coaching and Mentoring Portal are the culmination of months of hard work, by National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) project teams and colleagues from across the fire and rescue sector. Each tool champi...
EarthSafe Chemical Alternatives is known for developing the EvaClean Infection Prevention Solution, which firefighters use to mitigate pathogens in their fire stations and emergency vehicles. In a continuing effort to help protect the health of first responders, EarthSafe launched a safer, more sustainable line of industrial-strength products, in order to address hazardous spills and inhibit harmful molds. Joe Finn, the former Boston Fire Commissioner, Chief of the Department, and current First...
AudioLINK+ is now faster, quieter, and more reliable than ever before. The second iteration of Aico’s award-winning AudioLINK technology makes it easy to access real-time data from alarms via the free AudioLINK+ app. AudioLINK+ AudioLINK+ extracts the same data as AudioLINK, but does this quicker and quieter than before to reduce disturbance and does not affect any other functionality of alarms. With the average time to take a report taking between 4-7 seconds, AudioLINK+ technology make...
Kentec Electronics, a global manufacturer of life-critical control systems, is celebrating the third anniversary of its Kentec Installation Program (KIP), at this year’s FIREX International 2022. With more than 200 installers now registered, across 19 countries, the company will take the opportunity to celebrate the success of scheme and thank installers for their support. Since its launch at Firex 2019, installers have been benefiting from the scheme’s key features, which include t...
Global safety experts, Ardent Group (Ardent Vehicle Fire Protection) have announced significant new investment in machinery and robotics at its site in Roecliffe, York, United Kingdom (UK), as the company expands its portfolio of market-renowned fire suppression and electronic systems, for a wide range of vehicles, as well as static and mobile plant. Investment in machinery and robotics Explaining the investment, Neil Crowther, the Managing Director at the Ardent Group, said “In recent y...
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that authorized dealer Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc. will open its second service center, a new 45,000 square-foot facility in Tracy, California, to serve customers in central California, particularly the Bay Area. The project is currently in the design stage with construction expected to be completed in the next 18 to 24 months. The new facility will also serve as Golden State Fire Apparatus’ service hub for the rev...
More than 8,600 people traveled to Long Beach, California, USA, in order to attend the recent Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2022, North America’s largest advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event. Major retailers were in attendance, looking to decarbonize their fleets, gaining insight into the latest developments, policies, and technologies in clean transportation solutions. ACT Expo 2022 ACT Expo 2022 featured the largest collection of clean vehicle and fuel s...
NevadaNano, the innovator in gas detection sensor technology, announced the results of five years of continuous operation for its MPS™ Sensors. The sensors, manufactured and calibrated in early 2017 have been running continuously for 5 years. During this period there has been no additional calibration, and there has been no deterioration or drift, and despite regular exposure to combustible gases, the MPS™ sensors’ accuracy remains within specifications. Consistent and reliab...
The unique set of stressors encountered on the job by first responders can create mental health challenges for them and their families. To address this reality, first responders must learn how to take care of their mental health and they need a support network tailored to their individual requirements. 3 agencies' programs 3 agencies' programs have recently been updated with new resources to help first responders take care of their mental health and support the mental health of their families...
Nedbank has made an equity investment into an industry-leading technology led emergency response platform, RapidDeploy. The bank is the first South African firm to invest in RapidDeploy, which was established in South Africa, after its Founders - Steven Raucher and Brett Meyerowitz experienced the antiquated, legacy technology that was available within the country’s public safety sector. Nedbank invests in RapidDeploy Steven Raucher experienced a personal tragedy, when his brother drown...
The new Rosenbauer RFC CAFS Cube S compressed air foam system is the ideal addition to fire departments’ standard extinguishing equipment. Wetting agent, a water/foam compound mixture, and also wet and dry compressed air foam can all be generated by the ‘little brother’ of the all-in-one RFC CAFS Cube. However, the RFC CAFS Cube S is driven by a water-powered motor, rather than a combustion engine. Every fire engine with a fire pump on board can, therefore, be tactically u...
Effective immediately, Rob Kreikemeier has been appointed to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rosenbauer America. John Slawson has left Rosenbauer America. Rosenbauer thanks John Slawson for his contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Rob Kreikemeier is well-known, trusted, and respected throughout the fire industry for many decades. He has over 50 years of manufacturing and operations experience. This includes being the Founder of R.K. Aerials in...
Gear Wash is now the firefighting industry’s largest turnout gear cleaning and repair operation, having acquired Minerva Bunker Gear Cleaners and its six locations. The agreement, which closed on May 13, also marks the largest Gear Wash acquisition to date and greatly expands our company’s growing roster of service providers committed to first-class care for the equipment worn by firefighters. “Minerva has been a leader in NFPA 1851 services—the indus...
The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has expanded its range of guidance with the release of three new and three updated documents. The new Advisory Notes 27, 28 and 29 released by the ASFP offer advice on particular issues of concern to the industry. Advisory Note 27 Advisory Note 27 provides advice on the structural fire protection of steel beams with corrugated webs. These fabricated sections, which were recently introduced to the market, offer a thinner steel plate than can...